Thursday, October 28, 2010

Always Try Again

I've been feeling a little under the weather with a virus so today I've just got a little before and after for you. The before is a wire wall sculpture I was playing around with. I had the idea of making a few Christmas themed wall silhouettes similar to the fly and dream versions I made earlier this summer. My first attempt was a reindeer. Now I had only a vague idea of what a reindeer looked like when I made this attempt. In fact, it was fairly late at night and all I could really conjure up was a deer form with antlers. The result was not all that amazing. Especially since I had the antlers going backwards. I fixed that by twisting them around to the front but still.... not my most stellar first attempt.

So yesterday I pulled up a few photo's of what reindeer actually look like and then did a sketch based on the photo's of what I wanted my reindeer to look like. Then looking at the sketch I gave it another try. The difference was pretty incredible. I took them to my husband and said "look at the difference!" with a big ta-da. His response? He thought a) they looked about the same and b) they both looked like sheep with antlers to him.

So once again, I'm turning to you all for the gratification which I really shouldn't need. But really... don't you think the difference is amazing? So I guess the moral to this post is that a) don't expect your husband to see the difference between two objects or to know the difference between a sheep and a deer, b) never stop at the first try if you think you can do better- sometimes all that's needed is a fresh eye or a bit more work, and c) be very very grateful you've people other then your husband who get it and are amazed by the same silly things you are. Because I know you are. ;)

I'm not finished with the wire piece yet, I still have a wire border to add and some fabric I'd like to stitch to the frame, but I like what I have to start with a lot better now.

I also want to remind everyone that I do have a book giveaway going on over at the Handmade MN site. I'd love to see a few of you win one and you've got a great chance with this giveaway and big thanks to all who have already entered!!! I really appreciate it!

5 comments:

Anna said...

The second one is much more reindeery. The antlers are really effective! So here's a "well done" from someone who knows what they are looking at.
~A

Jen @ By Jen ❤️ said...

I agree, your second reindeer looks great. Good for you for trying again. And I can totally relate to the "supportive" comments that sometimes come from husbands =) They mean well, right?

scrapwordsmom said...

The second one is my favorite! I already entered...soooo excited. Crossing my fingers I will WIN:)

Single Stone Studios said...

To the husband of the FAB artist - a sheep, really?! I don't think you even looked. Next time, you should give her a little kiss and say "yes, honey, it looks great" She'll know you're faking and she'll still give it another try but you won't be given a hard time on her blog and by her readers. LOL

BTW, Jen, he's is SOOOOOOO much like Billy. I recently showed him a canvas, he says "it's kind of hard to read" and that's it. Oh well, I keep him around for lots of other reasons even if art appreciation isn't one of them. LOL

Johwey Redington said...

I love this project. Makes me want to try it. The second one does look better although the first one is a good first attempt - and, hmm, doesn't look like a sheep at all - lol! :D